Axle construction for automobiles.



J. A. MARSH & R. ULRICH.

AXLE CONSTRUCTION FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1913.

1,098,131 6. Patented June 2, 1914.

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1M 6 M 3 SM WITNESSES I n Huh 1W '1 6 INVENTORS v Zj J/MdWJ/L Mwic/z,

M if QMW @m J. A. MARSH 8; R; ULRICH.

AXLE consmuomou FOR AUTOMOBILES,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1913.

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WITNESSES J. A. MARSH & R. ULRICH.

AXLE CONSTRUCTION FOE. AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1913.

1,098,816 Patented June 2,1914.

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J. A. MARSH 6:; R. ULRICH.

AXLE oonsmuo'rm FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLIGATIOH FILED EAR. 29, 1913 1,Q98,81 6, Patented June 2, 1914.

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JOHN A. IMABSH AND BOY ULRICH, OF JACKSONVILLE, OREGON. V

To all whom it may] concern Be it known that we, JOHN A. Manse and lRoYUnnroii, citizens of the United States,

residing at Jacksonville, in thecounty of Jackson and State of Oregon,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axle Constructionfor Automobiles, of which the following is a specification, referonesbeing had therein to the accompanying vl'or attachingthe equalizingstructure to the a body and the axles'which support the sup portingwheels whereby the weight offthe body, may be distributed over theseveral Wheels even though one series of wheels should be on a planelower than the other series of wheels while a car is traveling.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists oi certainnovel constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts, as will behereinafter fully described and claimed.

in the drawings :--l*igure 1 is a tront elevation of the equalizingdevice showing the same as applied to the front axle. Fig. 2 is a topplan view of the equalizing device illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is anend elevation of the equalizing device. Fig. l: is a section taken online {ll-lot Fig. 1. big. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 1.Fig. 6 is a front elevation of one end ot the axle construction used inconnection with the present equalizing device. Fig. 'l' is a horizontalsectional view through the connecting turn buckle structure which.connects the equalizing plates. Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 ofFig. Fig.

9 is a detail perspective of one of the equal izing plates. Fig. 10 is asection taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 1. l ig. 11 is a top plan view ofthe stub axle which supports the wheels. Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectionthrough the equalizin device similar to Fig. 4, showing the di erentsteering mechanism attached thereto. Fig. 13 is adetail Specification ofLetters lEatent.

'trated in Fig. 11.

5.: LE CUNSTRUOTION FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Patented June 2,1914.

' hpplieationrlled march 29, 1913. teria1No75'LMft.

perspective of the clamping sections which ,may be employed forsupporting the wheels upon the axle provided the supporting rods shouldbecome brokenor otherwise injured.

lily referring to the drawings, it'will be seen that 1 designates themain axle construction which comprises an elongated body preferablyformed oi? an l-beani structure for the purpose of lightening the axleand at the same time adding additional strength thereto, and this airle1 terminates at each end in a substantially U -shaped yoke comprising alower equalizing rod supporting linger 2 and an 'upper supporting fingerA substantially semicircular spacing member 4 is z'uiterposed betweenthe fingers 2 and 3 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 6, and this spacingmember 4 isiprovided upon its outer edge with a rib portion 5 whichconstitutes a guide for holding the equalizing plates hereinafterdescribed in their spaced relation. The finger 2 is provided with asocket portion 6 in which tits the'lower end 7 of the equalizingsupporting rod 8. The upper finger '3 is provided with a brass-linedcollar 9 in which works the enlarged portion 10 of the verticallyextending equalizing rod 8. The rod 8 is provided intermediate its endswitha squared portion 11 over which fits the collar 12 oil the stub axle13 illus- The wheel 14 is supported upon the stub aide 13 in the usualmanner. it stop nut 15 is threaded upon the rod 8 intermediate its endsso as to limit the down vard movement of the stub aale 13 upon the rod8.

Each ot the yoke portions above mentioned is provided. intermediate thefingers 2 and 3 upon each side thereof with a spaced lip 16 and this lipconstitutes a retaining lug for the equalizing plates 17. Theseequalizing plates 17 constitute a substantially V- shapet body having alaterally curved finger 18 at its lower end. One, corner of theequalizing plate 17 is secured to one of the retaining lips 16 and isheld between this retaining lip and the substantially semi-cireularspacing member t by means of a bolt 19 thereby constituting a pivottherefor. tine equalizing plate 17 is employed upon each side of thespacing member 4 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 4 and the plates are connected by means of the transversely extend ing bolts 20 illustrated(clearly in Fig. 1 so lid ion

' izing plates 17 is employed in connection with each of the yokeportions formed u on r indicated at 23 and connected by means of 5 ofthe wheels to push the upper ends out of as to constitute a brace forthe plates and prevent the same from moving laterally relative to eachother. Each of the. plates 17 is provided near its outer end with anoutwardly bowed projecting lug '21 and these lugs are bowed outwardly soas to be spaced from the supporting standard 8 and have a free movementwithout rubbing or bearing against this vertically extending r0 8. s Aspreviously explained a pair of equalthe axle 1 and the downwardly extening arms upon the equalizing plates upon each side of the axle areconnected by means of the connecting rods 22 which connecting rods havetheir adjacent ends threaded: as

a turn-buckle 24 whereby the length of the rods 22 may be adjusted. a

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5, the .vertically extending rod 8 isprovided at its upper end with a reduced extension 25 and upon thisreduced extension 25 is placed a head 26. The head 26 is provided with asocket portion 27 in which are mounted the ball bearings 28 which ballbearings rest upon theshoulder 29 formed adjacent the reduced extension25. The head 26 is also provided upon its upper edge with a socketportion 30 in which fit the ball bearings 31 and constitute a bearingfor the threaded nut 32 placed upon the upper extremity of the reducedportion 25. The retaining nut 32 fits in the socket 33 formed upon theupper edge of the head 26 and it will, therefore, be seen thatconsiderable lateral strain is relieved from the reduced portion 25 bymeans of the circumferential flange 34 formed around the upper edge ofthe head 26. The reduced portion 25 of the vertically extending rod 8 isprovided with a groove 35 and this groove is provided with a pluralityof laterally extending channels 36 which communicate with the respectivesockets 27 and 30 for lubricating the ball bearings contained therein.An oil cup 37 is secured to the upperend of the reduced portion 25 tofurnish the lubricant for the pur ose just named.

he head 26 is provided with a pair of' sockets 38 'upon the lower edgethereof which socketsreceive the upper ends of the vertically extendingequalizing links 39. These e alizing links 39 are firmly secured withint ese sockets 38 by means of bolts 40. As illustrated clearly in thedrawings, it will be seen that a rod 39 is placed upon each side of thevertically extending mem-' bers or rods 8 and the upper ends of theserods converge toward each other so as to fit snugly against. the heads26 and fit in the sockets 38 to counteract the tendency i aeieengagement with the head, thereby relieving considerable strain from thesecuring bolts 401- It will be seenby carefully considering Fig. 5 thatif the pressure is brought to bear in the upward position,-the pressurewill be taken u by the ball bearings 31 contained within t e socket 30,whereas if the pressure is brought in a downward position by means ofthe arms 39, the pressure will be taken up by the ball bearings 28contained Within the socket 27.

Fromthe foregoing description, it will be seen that ifthe car istraveling and should one side of the machine be on a plane lower thanthe other side, the yoke members upon one side of the machine 1 willslide upon the rod 8 and thereby cause the link members 39 to be drawnupwardly. At this time the equalizing plates 17 may be swung therebydrawing the. downwardly projecting end 18 of said plates toward the sideof the machine which is upon the lower plane and pulling upon the rods22, which will in turn'pull upon the equalizing plates 17 upon theopposite side of the machine and pull downwardly upon the links 39 andin turn force a downward pressure upon the heads 26 supported upon therods 8 upon the opposite side of the machine and thereby distributeconsiderable of the weight upon the opposite wheels and relieveconsiderable strain from the wheels upon the lower plane. In this mannerthe weight of the body will be distributed upon the machine in such amanner as to relieve all of the strain of the weight upon one side ofnects the opposite steering links 42 and this connecting link 43 isprovided near each end with a threaded portion adapted to receive aspacing nut 44 which constitutes a stop for the collars 45 adjustablymounted upon the outer ends of the connecting rod 43. The extreme endsof the rod 43 are threaded to receive a nut 46 which constitutes meansfor holding the collars 45 in a set position upon the rod 43. Eachcollar 45 is provided with a laterally extending arm 47 and this arm isprovided with a socket 48 for receiving the ball bearing head 49 of thesteering rods 42. An adjusting screw 50 is carried by the arm 47 soas toadjust the'ball 49 upon the end of the rod 42 within the socket adaptedto relieve the same and this ball is firmly held uponthe arm 47 by meansof a clamp 51. A

. sliding sleeve 52 is mounted upon the outer end of the arm 47 and isconnected to a clamping bracket 53 by means of a ball and socket joint5a. This clamp is hingedly conward movement of the stub axle relative tothe steering mechanism. The collar 45 upon eachend of the rod 43 passesthrough the brackets 56 which brackets constitute guides therefor. Ofcourse, it should be understood that if it is so desired any suitabledevice may be employed for connecting the steering gear, asfor instance,the substantially semicircular arm 57 which is connected to the arm 58carried by thev stub axle 13 as illustrated in Fig, 12. The connectingrod 59 is secured to this arm 58 by means of a collar 60 and thesemi-circular arm 57 is connected to the steering rod 1 by means of theball and-socket joint 62.

In Fig. 13, we have illustrated a clamp which maybe employed inconnection with the present invention provided the vertical ro'd shouldbecome broken or injured in the traveling of the machine, and this clampcomprises a primary section 63 and an auxil iary section 64. Theauxiliary section 64 is provided with a plurality of loops 65 positionedupon the .side of the body'and the pri-. mary section 63 is providedwith a plurality of hooks 66 which are adapted to fit in the loops 65and constitute a hinge portion. Apertured lugs 67 are positionedupon-the opposite sides of the sections 63 and 64 and adapted to receiveany suitable fastening means for holding the sections in a substantial]y assembled position. \Vhen it is necessary to usethis sectional clampor jack, the same may be placed around the vertically extending rod 8and under the upper end of the axle, the lower end of the Jack restingupon the top of the spindle or stub axle. 1k cone hearing (38- may beformed upon the lower edge thereof to constitute an eflicient hearingfor permitting free action of the wheels.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. An equalizing device for a vehicle comprising an axle, said axleprovided with yokes at each end thereof, vertically extend ingmemberscarried by said yokes, a stub axle carried by said verticallyextending members, and equalizing means carried by said axle andengaging-said vertically ex tending members for distributing the weightupon opposite sides of a machine when the wheels upon one side of amachine are upon a lower plane than the wheels upon the opposite side ofa'machine.

2. A device of the class described comprising an axle provided with yokeportions constituting spaced fingers, vertically extending membersslidably mounted thereon, wheels supported by said vertically extendingmembers, and equalizing means carried by said axle and engaging saidvertically extending members for distributing the weight from one end ofsaid axle to the other end of said axle.

3. A device of the class described comprising an axle comprising yokeframes upon each end, each yoke member comprising a pair of spacedfingers, a vertically sliding supporting rod carried by said fingers, asubstantially semi-circular spacing member interposed between saidfingers, equalizing plates carried by said spacing member and positionedupon each side thereof, and means connecting said equalizing plates fordistributing a weight supported thereon upon opposite ends of said axle.

4. A device of the class described comprising an axle provided withyokes at each end thereof, said yokes provided with spaced fingers,vertically extending rods carried by said yokes, said yokes providedwith spaced lugs adjacent said spaced fingers, equalizing plates securedto said lugs, means connecting the equalizing plates upon opposite endsof said axle, and meansconnecting said equalizing plates with the upperends of said vertically extending rods for distributing the weight uponone end of the axle to theother end of the axle.

5. A device of the class described comprising an" axle provided withspaced fingers at each end, a spacing memberinterposed between saidfingers, spaced lugs carried by said spacingmember, substantiallyV-shaped equalizing plates secured to said lugs, connecting means forconnecting the equalizing plates upon opposite ends of said axle,vertically extending wheel supporting rods carried by said spacedfingers, and means connecting said equalizing plates to tha upper endsof said vertically extending re s.

6. A device of the class described comprising an axle, spaced fingerssecured to the oppositeends of said axle, a vertically extending wheelsupporting rod carried by said fingers, substantially V-shapedequalizing plates secured to said axles at each end and upon oppositesides thereof, each plate provided with an inwardly downwardly extendingfinger, an adjusting rod connecting the fingers of said plates uponopposite ends of said axle for causin said plates to swing in unison,each equa izing plate provided with outwardly projecting link engagingears, bolts passing through said equalizing plates for connecting theplates upon opposite sides of said axle, and links connecting said linkengaging ears to th?1 upper ends of said vertically extending ro s. V

7. A device of the class described comprising an axle, a verticallyextending Wheel supporting rod-carried by said axle, said rod providedwith a reduced upper end, a head positioned upon said rod, equalizingplates carried by said axle upon opposite ends thereof, means connectingsaid equal-' izing plates, links connecting said head to one of saidequalizing plates, said heads provided with socket portions, the-upperends of said links fitting in said socket portions, and means passingthrough said heads and engaging the upper ends of said links forretaining said linksin said socket portions.

8. A device of the class described comprising an axle, equalizing platescarried upon opposite ends of said axle, means connecting saidequalizing plates, a vertically extending rod carried by said axle, ahead carried by said vertically extendingrod, links connecting saidequalizing plates to said heads, said heads provided vwith socketportions, said links fitting in said socket portions, means for holdingsaid links in said socket portions, and means for holding saidd headsupon said vertically extending ro s.

9. A device of the class described comsupporting rods supported uponopposite ends of said axle, equalizing plates carried by said axle uponopposite ends thereof, means connecting said equalizing plates, eachvertically extending rod provided with a reduced upper end, a headcarried upon each vertically extending rod, bearings carried within saidheads, means connecting said heads with said equalizing plates, and acap threaded upon the upper end of said reduced ends for holding saidheads upon said vertically extending rods.

10. A device of the class described comprising an-axle, a verticallyextending wheel supporting rod carried at each end of said axle,equalizing plates carried upon opposite ends of said axle, means forconnecting said equalizing plates together, means for connecting saidequalizing plates with said vertically extending rods, each verticallyextending rod provided with a squared axle, a stub axle supported uponsaid'squared axle, and meanscarried by said vertically extending rodforholding said stubaxle in a set position upon said verticallyextending rod.

In testimony whereof we hereunto aflix our signatures in presence of twoWitnesses.

' JOHN A. MARSH.

ROY ULRICH.

Witnesses:

LESLIE W. STANSELL,

D. W. BAosHAw.

